By Isaiah Murillo

“NEVER ENOUGH” is a highly anticipated album among all fans of Rhythm and Blues (R&B) with it being a 15-track, 55-minute cohesive body of work. Like the album cover, the general tone of the album is very blue and takes listeners on a journey through the many ups and downs of relationships. The artist behind “NEVER ENOUGH” is no other than Daniel Caesar delving into his own vulnerabilities and struggles.

Caesar is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for his soulful R&B music. Born in Oshawa, Ontario on April 5, 1995, Caesar grew up in a religious family and was deeply influenced by the gospel music he was surrounded by as a kid. He began writing songs at the age of 17 and started to gain traction almost instantly from his debut EP “Praise Break” in 2014.

 In 2017, he released his debut studio album “Freudian,” which features notable songs like “Get You” and “Best Part”. The album with its blend of R&B and soul reached 16th on the US Billboard 200 earning him two Grammy nominations and gaining a larger fanbase.

Following two years of radio silence, Caesar unexpectedly announced his sophomore album “CASE STUDY 01.” Compared to “Freudian,” Caesar is more open in this album about the current issues in his life. This is most noticeable on the track “SUPERPOSITION,” where he talks about how making music is very difficult although Caesar has all the time, space, and money he needs. 

After “CASE STUDY 01,” Caesar would go on a nearly four-year hiatus. That would all change until January of 2023 when Caesar out of the blue [pun intended] with the track “Do You Like Me?,” along with “Let Me Go” and “Valentina,” each song releasing in the span of three months. Finally, on April 7th, 2023 Caesar released “NEVER ENOUGH.”

At first listen “NEVER ENOUGH” was an introspective and soulful album that explores themes of love, heartbreak, and learning to let go of the past. Compared to his first two albums, it is relatively more experimental, with Caesar venturing off from his noticeable slow-paced and three to four-minute song run time. Alternatively, the album has a much darker theme compared to his other work with unsettling yet calming low synths.

One of the album's strengths is its emotional and romantic depth, which is most noticeable in  tracks like "Always" and "Let Me Go." Caesar's soulful vocals give the album raw emotions and vulnerability, making the listener feel like they are on a journey with him. The production is equally impressive, with a mixture of R&B, soul, and sometimes lo-fi elements that create a dreamy and immersive soundscape.

However, the center of the album may not be as intense as its beginning and end. While the album starts and finishes strong, some of the songs in the middle are not as captivating. When first listening to “NEVER ENOUGH” I was on the verge actually skipping some of the middling songs due to them sounding slightly bland and not having as much emotion as some of the other tracks. Nonetheless, they aren’t bad songs, and I also blame myself for keeping my expectations very high for this album.

Some of the songs on the album I enjoyed the most were "Ocho Rios," "Valentina," "Homiesexual," and "Unstoppable." These tracks showcase Caesar's versatility as a songwriter and his ability to infuse different musical styles and genres into his music; "Ocho Rios" is a standout track that carries common sounds from reggae and R&B elements, while at the end it beautifully transitions into “Valentina” which sonically matches “NEVER ENOUGH” but gives a complete 180 from the first track as it has a much more uplifting feel to it.

"Valentina" is a great song that showcases Caesar's ability to blend classic and contemporary R&B. The track features emotional lyrics and passionate delivery that capture the feeling of falling in love. The instrumental and production are impressive, with a rich and “oh my god I’m, in Vegas” atmospheric arrangement that fits Caesar's soulful voice perfectly. Overall, "Valentina" is a standout track in Caesar's discography, demonstrating his ability to make more than just slow-paced music. It is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys R&B music.

"NEVER ENOUGH" is a significant album for Caesar, as it showcases his artistic growth and exploration of new musical territories. With a darker tone and more introspective lyrics and instrumentals, the album takes listeners on an emotional journey of heartbreak and raw emotions. The standout track, "Valentina," showcases Caesar's evolution, blending classic and contemporary R&B with emotional lyrics and a rich atmospheric arrangement. Overall, "NEVER ENOUGH" solidifies Caesar's position as an artist willing to experiment and connect with his audience on a deeper level.

Published on 5/23/23

By Cecilia Chu

 In my years of watching shows, I have only found a select few that I have actively enjoyed and decided to rewatch over and over again. Here are my top 3 shows:"-

"Pose"

Pose sheds light on a time in New York when being out as LGBTQ+ was a scary reality for many gay and trans people due to the Aids Crisis. This show is centered around the beautiful art of Ball culture and how houses would compete for trophies. The Ballroom scene was an underground LGBTQ+ subculture made by Black and Brown people in New York. I’ve rewatched the show around two to threetimes and every time I’m drawn in and must binge-watch. This amazing show is currently only available on Hulu and is rated TV-MA. 

“Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

Set in the late 1950s and early 1960s, this show takes you on a funny journey of how Mrs. Maisel’s life turns upside down when her husband leaves her with her suitcase for Penny Pan, his secretary who can’t use an electric sharpener. Mrs. Maisel decides to give her ex-husband's “hobby” of standup comedy a try and soon is recognized for her talent at being hilarious. This show has some of the best screenwriting I’ve seen and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a funny historical drama. This show is rated TV-MA and is available to watch on Amazon Prime. 

“Derry Girls”

“Derry Girls” takes place in Northern Ireland in a town called LondonDerry in the 1990s during the Troubles. This show follows 16-year-old Erin and her friends as they grow up surrounded by armed police in the fight between the Protestants and the Catholics. This show is one of my favorite relaxed sitcoms, for it’s incredibly funny and easy to follow. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a show that has great Irish comedy. You can watch this TV-MA show on Netflix. 

Published on 5/23/23

By Betzey Velasquezgomez

The new “Super Mario Bros Movie'' released on April 5th, 2023. This movie was such an awaited movie of mine and for many people--especially for Mario Bros fans after the original movie was a disappointment for many.

The “Super Mario Bros Movie" has been super interesting since the beginning it starts off with a conflict right away and it catches your attention. The movie begins with Mario and Luigi wanting to become the best plumbers. One day, while watching the news, they came across a massive citywide disaster where plumbers were trying to stop all the water from coming out of a broken pipe, but no one could fix it. Mario and Luigi quickly go to the scene to try and stop the leak, but instead, they are sent to a different universe where they become separated. Luigi went to Bowser's castle (King of Koopas) and Mario went to the Mushroom Kingdom where Princess Peaches was. As Mario went looking for help to locate his brother, the princess, Princess Peach, gave him the idea to go to Donkey Kong for support in going to war. However, once Bowser found out about Luigi's plan, he became furious and surprise attacked them with his whole army.  

With colorful animations, an engaging plot, and many catchy songs included. One of the songs I loved was the song Bowser wrote when playing the piano called “peaches” where he is dedicating all his love to Princess Peaches.  The "Super Mario Bros Movie"  does not leave you bored for even a second. 

 I thought this movie was better than the original movie because it is more similar to the actual video game. One of the songs I loved was the song Bowser wrote when playing the piano--dedicating all his love to Princess Peaches. 

The movie had a lot of exciting and breathtaking moments. For instance, when Mario and Donkey Kong fell off the rainbow bridge and into the sea while running away from Bowser and his army, Donkey Kong started drowning, so Mario used all his strength to save them by swimming to land. In this scene, they thought everything was going to end with them not being able to save Princess Peaches from Bowser.

Additionally, I think that "Super Mario Bros Movie" is better than the original because the 1993 movie had more of a creepy feeling attached to it. The first movie was more for the adult type, and it didn't have much to do with the original video game. 

Although this movie had great animations and a great script, there were some aspects that I wasn't a fan of, for example, not adding Yoshi. He is one of my absolute favorite characters of all time! For Yoshi to not get put in the movie was a major disappointment. Overall, I think this movie definitely topped the Super Mario Bros movie from 1993, and I think everyone should go to watch this movie right now because you will not be disappointed. 

Published on 5/23/23

By Basheera Clark

Netflix’s original, "The Glory," released on December 30th, 2022, is a two-part, slow-burn psychological drama series that follows the main protagonist, Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo), who meticulously carries out her revenge plot against her high school bullies over the course of 18 years.

Her revenge begins once she drops out of school due to the severity of the continuous physical oppression. Once Dong-eun had come to the stomach-churning realization that all adults (including her drunkard mother) had failed her, she brought about her own carefully curated punishments-- in other words, their execution.

While the perpetrators continue to live out their lives scot-free, Dong-eun is preparing for their long-awaited demise. Based on the 2006 “Cheongju Curling Iron Case,” in which a young girl was relentlessly tortured by her classmates for 20 days straight--resulting in burns all over her body, it comes as a shock that "The Glory’s" portrayal of bullying—well, more like assault—wasn't exaggerated.

The first chunk of the series covers Dong-eun’s traumatic school life, which forced me to retract my initial question of her sanity for not moving on after such a long duration of time. Part-one depicts her tragic backstory which left my mouth agape. I understand why she dedicated two decades of her prime to destroying their careers and lives, for a group of well-off teenagers with high-profile backgrounds and parents who could avoid the penalties of the law that rigorously tormented her for seemingly no reason but sadistic entertainment. 

The group consists of multiple contrasting images. The ringleader and most vicious of the five, Park Yeon-jin (Lim Ji-yeon), Jae-joon (Park Sung-hoon), the insufferable and arrogant heir to his father’s CC Golf Resort, a high-class golf club, Lee Sa-ra (Kim Hieora), an aspiring artist and pastor’s daughter, as well as a raging drug addict, Choi Hye-jong (Cha Joo-young), who’s less involved in Dong-eun’s abuse and is only there to have connections with the wealthy, and finally, Son Myeong-o (Kim Gun-woo), an infamous sexual harasser and enemy to all women, Jae-joon’s lackey, and Sa-ra’s dealer.

The “Glory’s” portrayal of psychological concerns is realistically illustrated. The show delves into the character’s personal lives, mental struggles, and relationships. The characters are all well-versed in their roles to the point where I couldn’t help becoming immersed in the story. 

Actress Lim Ji-yeon plays the cold-blooded queen character perfectly. Part-two of the series entails watching Yeon-jin’s haughty persona slowly contort into fear for Dong-eun which is incredibly satisfying. The layers of emotions that were displayed, including her despair and conceited personality all contributed to her eventual downfall. Her relationship with her CEO husband, her career as a weather reporter, and respect from her daughter Ya He-sol (Oh Ji-yul), all became void.

Song Hye-kyo’s acting history consists of sweet rom coms and melodrama, but her performance in this drama proved her versatility as an actress for different contrasting genres. A strong female anti-heroine is always refreshing to see and Dong-eun’s character is written so you’d root for her to be dealt good cards. I even found myself cheering for her vengeance to succeed, as twisted as it was.

The plot carries themes of romance; although unreciprocated at first, it’s a break from the violence which gave me a chance to collect myself from the constant twists. Personally, I enjoy anything romance related, which is why I find it a good additive to an already exceptional story. Plastic surgeon Joo Yeo-Jeong (Lee Do-hyun), son of famous doctor Park Sang-im (Kim Jung-young), wears a puppy-like nature and is playfully attempting to woo Dong-eun. Their dynamic throughout the show steadily begins to bear fruit and Dong-eun’s usual stoic demeanor can relax and become truly vulnerable.

This k-drama is well-balanced. Not only is it emotionally engaging, well-written, and chilling, but it also has the ability to keep eyes glued to a screen. All of these factors contribute to the show's overall success, which is why this k-drama has captivated me from start to finish. 

Published on 5/23/23

By Jose Hernandez

John Wick, a franchise well known in the film industry about a badass assassin named John Wick (Keanu Reeves), has dropped a fourth movie to their sequel. 

“John Wick: Chapter 4” is very action-packed, which fuels my interest in action movies and (John Wick: Chapter 4) easily in the top five. The incorporation of secret organizations that run the world secretly, Mafias, and orders that control corporations. 

The fourth movie starts off where “John Wick: Chapter 3” ends, with John Wick getting shot off a building and being presumed dead even though he wasn’t. The fourth movie is about John Wick seeking his freedom from The High Table, the head organization of the underworld. In order to gain his freedom, he had to destroy The High Table, an organization John Wick worked for in previous films.

The film puts me in John Wick’s shoes, as if I’m a trained soldier.Of course, he was an assassin but still was a  good character because he was a good person trying to finally find his peace but tried to do it in the right way finally.

Reeves had to thoroughly train to give viewers the incredible fights that are expected in the character of John Wick.The characters had to choose how they would duel in The High Table, they would use cards to determine how they will duel in a battle. This  is how John Wick was gaining his freedom so that he could finally leave The High Table organization.

 Without a doubt, I would recommend this movie unless you hate action movies. This doesn't really make you think of anything else but killing and crazy assassins and military badass moments. This movie isn't about morals, but it is about a man trying to leave an old organization of undercover mob bosses and Mafias that control the world, and he is willing to destroy anything in his way to do so. 

Published on 5/23/23

By Cecilia Chu

 “The Bear” brings viewers behind the kitchen doors for an unfiltered look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of the food industry. 

From start to finish, these eight episodes will leave viewers craving just one more taste. First released on Hulu in June 2022, the bite-sized series is stuffed full of reflections on the realities of the restaurant industry, the complicated bonds unique to family, and the way grief sneaks up on us when we least expect it. 

The plot follows Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, the reluctant successor of a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop in Chicago following his estranged brother’s suicide. Their complicated history is murky at the start of the show and slowly unravels through clipped anecdotes and nostalgic but often painful flashbacks to a past long gone.

The show, like its main character, is wrought with an almost unbearable tension. When Carmy returns to Chicago in the wake of an illustrious career as a chef in restaurants as esteemed as Noma (credited by many to be the best in the world), he has to contend with a staff full of resentment and a sandwich joint that is faltering at best. Even under his brother Mikey’s management, “The Beef” was sinking into massive debt and in danger of being bought out by Uncle Jimmy, who loaned Mikey $200,000 at the start of the ambitious business venture. 

Along with juggling the restaurant renovations, Carmy has to grapple with something far less familiar than food service: reconciling the all-encompassing love he had for his brother in childhood with the reality of Mikey’s final years as a struggling drug addict who isolated himself from the only family he’s ever known. 

With the gaping absence of his older brother from the restaurant and his life, the burden of picking up the pieces falls on Carmy’s shoulders. As he slowly proves himself to the staff--who consider him a pampered baby incapable of hard work--their resentment begins to thaw, and tentative bonds begin to form. 

“The Bear” lives up to its categorization as a comedy-drama series by weaving a steady stream of ironic and often foul-mouthed jokes into the otherwise sobering dialogue. The result is a show straddling the fine line between the lighthearted and the morbid, and through Carmy’s journey with grief viewers are alternately endeared and vexed by the vivacity of every character. 

Jeremy Allen White shines in his role as a broody, grief-stricken chef with the world on his shoulders throughout the show, but his most memorable performance lies in the seven-minute monologue he runs in the season finale. At the behest of his well-meaning but overly involved sister Natalie (a.k.a Sugar), Carmy reluctantly agrees to give group therapy a try. He’s been drowning under the weight of it all for far too long, and something eventually is going to give. Might as well drill right down to the source instead of holding your breath waiting for an inevitable collapse. In the middle of a room filled with a silence so thick it seemed physically palpable, Carmy confesses to a group of strangers what he’d been afraid to confront all along. 

“I felt like I could speak through food, like I could communicate through creativity. And that kind of confidence, you know, like I was finally…I was good at something, that was so new, and that was so exciting and I just wanted him to know that. And the more he wouldn’t respond, and the more our relationship…kinda strained, the deeper into this I went and the better I got. 

And the more people I cut off, the quieter my life got. And the routine of the kitchen was so... consistent and exacting and busy and hard and alive, and I lost track of time and he died. And he left me his restaurant. And over the last couple months I-I've been trying to fix it 'cause it was in rough shape, and I think it's very clear that me trying to fix the restaurant... was me trying to fix whatever was happening with my brother. And I don't know, maybe fix the whole family because... that restaurant, it has and it, it does mean a lot to people. It means a lot to me. I just don't know if it ever meant anything to him.”

At the end of the show, Carmy takes his fears head-on by deciding to make the restaurant his own. He renames “The Beef” to “The Bear”, in honor of a lifelong inside joke that he shared with Mikey.  

Published on 5/23/23